Cato the Elder

by Robert Hamilton

In discussing the similarities, between the thoughts of Cato the Elder and Gaius Marius, I see in Plutarch’s histories[1] of both men many examples to consider. Both are recorded, as expressing strong views about the importance of right action over mere words[2], with Cato repeatedly questioning and challenging excessive or indolent behaviour in those around him during his public lifetime; and exemplifying its opposite in his own actions[3]. Both Marius and Cato exhibited a belief in the virtue of the abstemious and resolute Roman[4], with Marius portraying these qualities throughout his military campaigns[5]; to the welcome acclaim of his serving men.

Marius and Cato the Elder both, turned their disadvantage of birth, being born into lesser families away from the centre of Roman noble life, into a motivating force – each becoming the novus homo[6] of their time. Marius in his consulship acceptance speech, as recorded by Sallust[7], robustly compares his own first-hand experience of military leadership with that of Q. Caecilius Metellus (Numidicus), the consul from the patrician family whom he replaces. The crux of the matter being, that is it better to have experience and glory in your own lifetime or in your ancestors?

[2] John Kennedy, Sr VFL Coach 1975 Grand Final “At least DO SOMETHING! DO! Don’t think, don’t hope, do! At least you can come off and say ‘I did this, I shepherded, I played on. At least I did something.'” – A famous modern example of an exhortation to right action over mere words or thoughts.

[14] Taylor, Lily, Ross, Party Politics In the Age of Caesar, University of California Press,Berkeley, CA, 1966. P – 11.

[15] The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. la·coni·cal·ly adv.Word History: The study of the classics allows one to understand the history of the term laconic, which comes to us via Latin from Greek Laknikos. The English word is first recorded in 1583 with the sense “of or relating to Laconia or its inhabitants.” Laknikos is derived from Lakn, “a Laconian, a person from Lacedaemon,” the name for the region of Greece of which Sparta was the capital. The Spartans, noted for being warlike and disciplined, were also known for the brevity of their speech, and it is this quality that English writers still denote by the use of the adjective laconic, which is first found in this sense in 1589.

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